High Stakes Testing in the News

Greetings everyone!

Dr. Diana Messick has shared a link from a recent NPR story on high stakes testing, The Past, Present and Future of High-Stakes Testing. Dr. Messick provided this comment:

Educators are often asked what they think about standardized testing and Common Core. We know this is a complicated answer and an ongoing debate. We hear parents concerns about the number of tests students take and the pressure of accountability teachers face. The question that arises from the debate is what would we do if we didn't test students annually. This nprED article provides background, current issues in the debate and options to consider if we didn't test every student 3-8 annually and once in high school.

The Past, Present and Future of High-Stakes Testing

Check out the article and feel free to make comments here. This is a forum for sharing and conversation connected to issues that impact us all--we'd love to hear from you!

Meet Dr. Diana Messick

Periodically, we'll be introducing our adjunct faculty members. We'd like you to meet Dr. Diana Messick who teaches Secondary School Administration online.

I was the founding principal of Sioux Falls New Technology High School (New Tech), the first Project Based Learning High school in South Dakota, from 2010-2012. New Tech is one of four public high schools in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I retired two years ago from the position at New Tech High but remain as the volunteer business/community liaison. Previously, I was the principal at Whittier Middle School, in Sioux Falls for seventeen years (1000 students grades 6-8) and still have blue and white running through my veins. I have been an administrator at the elementary, middle school and high school level in Utah and South Dakota in both small and large schools with a wide range of social, economic and cultural diversity. This is the fifth year
I have had the honor to teach Secondary Administration for USD. I am passionate about expanding the understanding of Project Based Learning and opportunities for students and believe that it is an instructional model that ignites student’s passion for learning and builds a connection to the real world.

 My professional goals are to promote innovative school change and prepare leaders who possess a vision that prepares our students for their future.

The Spring 2015 Semester Begins!

Hello Everyone! Welcome to the Spring 2015 semester at USD! It's certainly winter here in South Dakota. Here in the Vermillion area, we were delighted yesterday morning with a winter wonderland, as hoarfrost coated the trees and shrubs!

We hope you have a rewarding and productive semester. Remember, this blog can serve as a community building tool, so please sign up to be notified of new posts by email. Relevant information from the Division can be found here, along with reminders of important upcoming deadlines. We also encourage your input, whether you are here on campus or taking on-line classes from anywhere else on the globe. If you have ideas to share, noteworthy news, or timely items that may be of interest to others involved in Educational Administration, please contact edad@usd.edu with your information and we will post it here on the blog. Your comments on posts are also welcome and encouraged. Have a great semester!